SmartSwitch Gets Harder to Turn as Power Consumption Increases

The SmartSwitch, from Peter Russo and Brendan Wypich at Stanford University, brings force-feedback to environmental gadgets.

The idea is simple — the switch knows how much power is being used in either your home or on the Grid in general. As consumption increases, the servo motor inside makes the switch harder to slide. The motor pushes a brake-pad against the switch offering extra resistance.

The switch itself only has a network collection — the workings out need to be done elsewhere and transmitted to the unit. Still, I can imagine this making lighting a lot more annoying. It’s bad enough when I have to open jam jars and gin bottles for my mother — "my old hands aren’t as strong as they used to be," she’ll say, " can you turn the light on for me?"

Otherwise, a great idea, making people instantly aware of their power wastage.